Welding
Make Long-Lasting Connections as a Skilled Welder
San Diego-Area Welding Training
Take Control of Your Future with Training in Welding
Many industries rely on the skills of professional welders to operate; everything from construction to repair and fabrication. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts thousands of jobs will be added to this profession over the next decade, making now a great time to step into this field. So, if you’re looking for a career that is totally hands-on and your skills can be used on many different projects, becoming a professional welder could be a great option for you!
What Does a Welder Do?
As a welder, your daily tasks may include:
- Joining and cutting metal parts, as well as filling in holes, indentations and seams
- Reading and interpreting blueprints, sketches, and specifications
- Inspecting structures or materials and calculating and measuring the dimensions of parts to be welded
- Welding materials according to blueprint specifications
- Maintaining welding equipment and machinery
What Will I Learn in a Welding Program?
Summit College El Cajon’s Welding program can be completed in just 36 weeks. It’s designed to provide the student with the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully perform the functions of an entry-level welder in various processes and shops.
What will course instruction look like?
Our team of experienced instructors will help you prepare for working in the real world of welding. Classes are small, so students get valuable one-on-one attention and training, and we utilize a combination of lecture and lab hours to ensure you understand both the theory and the practical applications behind welding techniques. Hands-on experience is truly prioritized, with five times more hours dedicated to working in our labs versus in the classroom.
Is Career Training Right for You?
Take the Summit College Career Training Readiness Quiz
The fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete, and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style, plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
What welding classes will I take?
Summit College El Cajon’s Welding program prepares you to work in various shops with courses that include:
- Gas Metal Arc Welding Basic
- Oxyacetylene, Welding and Cutting
- Shielded Metal Arc Welding
- Flux Cored Arc Welding/Symbols for Welding
- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding/Blueprint Reading
- SMAW Structural
What Is the Job Outlook for Welders in California?
Nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected employment growth for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is around 2% through 2034, just slightly below the average for all occupations. Don’t let the small percentage fool you, however. This still will mean an average of 45,600 job openings annually.
As far as the state of California goes, the projected employment growth for welders is much higher, at 7% through 2032 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Statewide, this means around 3,150 job openings on average every year.
Where can welders work?
There are a number of different opportunities all around the San Diego area at places like:
- Construction companies
- Oil rigs
- Shipyards
- Oil and gas companies
- Aerospace
- Motorsports
- Military services
- Manufacturing facilities
What jobs can I get with training as a welder?
Here are some of the potential job titles and opportunities:
- Ironworker
- Welder Fabricator
- Underwater Welder
- Pipefitter
- Boilermaker
- Welding Technician
- Robotic Welder
- Pipeliner
El Cajon Campus
At Summit College El Cajon, you’ll have access to ample classrooms equipped with audiovisual technology, labs outfitted with updated equipment and instruments, computer labs, handicap-accessible restroom facilities, and a student lounge. Parking is provided to students at no charge.
Address and Location
Medical Assistant Campus Address (MA Program)
124 W. Main Street, Suite 200
El Cajon, CA 92020
Located at the northwest corner of W. Main Street and Magnolia Ave., just south of I-8 and a 10-minute ride from El Cajon Station on the 815 bus
Phone Number and Hours
General Business Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Phone Number: 888.504.2552
Why Should You Choose Summit College El Cajon?
You can have both future job prospects and the fulfilling career you dream of, and it starts with getting the training and skills you’ll need to join the dedicated healthcare heroes out there making a difference every day. That’s where Summit College comes in. Summit has been helping students get the training and skills they need to pursue successful careers in medical assisting since 1991. We do it with the philosophy that we’re in this together with each and every student — and that means providing support and encouragement — every step of the way.
- Professional faculty focused on your success: Your instructors have all done the job you’re training for and use their experience to prepare you for real-world situations. You’ll develop critical administrative and clinical skills through hands-on learning and will benefit from small class sizes.
- Comprehensive curriculum: Learn about phlebotomy and lab procedures, computer operations, body system functions, tool sterilization, EKGs, insurance claim processing and basic office procedures.
- Flexible, short-term programs: We understand and value your time. That’s why we offer flexible scheduling, with day, evening, and weekend options, and programs that can get you career-ready in under a year.
Ready for What’s Next?
Your Path to Success Starts Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Become a Welder in California?
While there are a few different paths to take to become a welder, most employers are looking for job candidates who have technical training through a trade school that can help them learn foundational skills like how to read blueprints, mechanical drawing, and shop mathematics.
Summit College El Cajon’s Welding program has a few requirements for our applicants:
- Be 18 years or older
- Provide an acceptable high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
- Complete an interview with an Admissions Advisor
- Meet the required level of proficiency with speaking, reading, writing, and understanding English
Once you’ve successfully graduated, you’re in a good position to apply for entry-level welding jobs, although you should expect that the first few months on the job will include additional supervised training.
What Is TIG Welding? MIG Welding? Stick Welding?
If you’ve looked into welding training, you’ve likely seen programs talk about TIG versus MIG versus SMAW and been confused about just what exactly all of it means. Here’s a quick breakdown on some of the common terms:
- Arc welding — A process that joins metal to metal by using electricity to create enough heat to melt the metals, which then join as they cool.
- TIG welding — Also known as gas tungsten arc welding or GTAW. An arc welding process that uses tungsten electrode to produce the weld. It offers greater control, but can be more complex and difficult to master.
- MIG welding — Also known as gas metal arc welding or GMAW. MIG stands for metal inert gas. An arc welding process that creates an electric arc between a MIG wire electrode and the metal.
- SMAW welding — Also known as stick welding for shielded metal arc welding. An arc welding process that uses a consumable electrode covered with a flux to lay the weld. One of the world’s first and most popular welding processes.
What Kinds of Certifications or Licenses Do I Need to Be a Welder?
California itself does not have a state-issued license to work as a welder so long as your employer holds a C-60 Welding Contractor license:
A welding contractor causes metals to become permanently attached, joined and fabricated by the use of gases and electrical energy, which creates temperatures of sufficient heat to perform this work.
That being said, a lot of employers prefer to hire candidates who have earned professional certifications, like those offered through the American Welding Society. The AWS offers certification in areas like:
- Certified Welder
- Certified Robotic Arc Welding
- Certified Welding Engineer
- Certified Resistance Welding Technician
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also requires that welders complete training on electrical safety.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Welder?
Postsecondary school can be a significant investment of both time and money. It’s one of the reasons why Summit College El Cajon designs our programs to take you from enrollment to graduation in less time than you think. For our Welding program, this means you can be on your way to a new career in just 36 weeks.
How Much Does Welding Training Cost?
With traditional California colleges costing upwards of $40,000 per year, a lot of people feel like postsecondary training isn’t something accessible to them. By offering focused career training programs that take only 9 months to complete, Summit College El Cajon can prepare students for a new, in-demand career for less than half the cost of one year in a traditional degree program. We also have a number of different financial aid options to help support you in paying for your education.
